Can Fakhar's Fifty and Shaheen's Late Heroics Spark Pakistan's Comeback?

Dubai, Sep 17 (NationPress) Amid a backdrop of off-field turmoil, Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Shah Afridi emerged as the lone beacons of hope for Pakistan, who limped to 146/9 in their 20 overs against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The commencement of Match 10 of Group A faced a one-hour delay at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

This match was already marred by controversy stemming from Pakistan’s altercation with match referee Andy Pycroft, and the Men in Green struggled significantly with the bat. Opting to bat first, they lost their openers within the first three overs, with Junaid Siddique wreaking havoc with the new ball. Saim Ayub, eager to avoid a hat-trick of golden ducks, lasted a mere two deliveries before being dismissed for a silver duck. Abdullah Shafique fared little better as Pakistan's innings crumbled early.

It was Fakhar Zaman who put a stop to the slide with an aggressive counterattack. Coming in at number three, the left-hander played with determination, blending calculated risks with powerful hitting. He scored a vital half-century, reaching 50 off 36 balls, with two boundaries and three sixes. Alongside captain Salman Ali Agha, who managed 20 off 27, Zaman contributed to a 61-run partnership for the third wicket, briefly reviving Pakistan from their early troubles.

However, after the partnership was broken, Pakistan's innings lost all rhythm. Salman fell while trying to liberate the scoring, and the middle order crumbled under pressure. Simranjeet Singh Kang and Siddique sliced through the batting order, with wickets falling rapidly.

Mohammad Haris, surprisingly pushed down to number seven despite his match-winning performance in the previous game, managed to score 18 off 14 balls but could not capitalize further. Just as Pakistan appeared poised to collapse well below a competitive score, Shaheen Shah Afridi injected vital energy late in the innings. The left-arm quick, reinforcing his value with the bat, blasted an unbeaten 29 off just 14 balls, featuring two sixes and a boundary in the final over to elevate the total to a more respectable level.

With a score of 146/9, Pakistan will now count on their bowlers to compensate for yet another inconsistent batting display. For the UAE, bolstered by their new-ball burst and intense fielding, the chase at Dubai International Stadium sets the stage for an exciting contest.

Brief scores:

Pakistan 146/9 in 20 overs (Fakhar Zaman 50, Shaheen Shah Afridi 29 not out; Junaid Siddique 4/18, Simranjeet Singh 3/18) against UAE